Pursuant to the implementation of The Code on Wages, 2019, The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, The Code on Social Security, 2020 and The Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, 2020, together referred to as ‘the four Labour Codes’, from 21 November 2025, a new unified definition of “wages” has been introduced. Historically, the meaning and basis of computation for “wages” varied across different legislation for social security benefits. For instance, gratuity computations under the Payment of Gratuity Act were largely linked to basic salary and certain limited components, whereas other legislations, such as PF and ESIC, operated on their respective definitions and computational frameworks.